While the elect of God will be removed before the great tribulation, we can expect to be hated and suffer increasing persecution because of our witness. The devil knows his days are short. Will you hold tight to your faith and fellowship with God amidst the difficult times?

(Scriptures are provided below the page image.)

“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebr. 11:32-40)

 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
(John 15:18)

“Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:20)

“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 10:22-23)

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” (Matthew 24:9)

“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Rev. 2:10)

“But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.” (Acts 13:50)

“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35)

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3:7)

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

“Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.” (Hebrews 10:33)

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” (Revelation 12:12)

All Scriptures are from the NIV Translation of the Bible

In all of Jesus’ seven letters to the churches in the book of Revelation, we are told: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” The elect of God will hear His voice and follow Him. Jesus said “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47 NIV)  Jesus was clearly saying that if you think you are a Christian but are not hearing God’s voice in prayer, you are not walking with the Lord. It is impossible to obey God without hearing His voice for direction. Without hearing Him, we can only guess at what His specific will is for us.

The devil knows the Bible better than you do. Satan has been around a long time and knows how to twist and manipulate the Scriptures to pervert your theology. If you’re not in an unbroken covenant relationship with God, the devil will have access (without your expressed permission) to unbuckle that belt of truth meant as armor for God’s anointed.

In the previous few days, we have been reviewing the letters at the beginning of the book of Revelation addressed to the seven churches. Today, we have the final three letters to look at to consider what God might want us to identify as areas of strength and weakness. Perhaps those letters were designed to give us insight into our own witness and ministry.

Jesus’ letters to the churches are poised at the beginning of the book of Revelation signifying utmost priority. The churches need to get this right! While the position of the church is important, it is your individual relationship to God that determines if you fare well in the increasing spiritual war.

As you study each of these letters, I urge you to evaluate the following questions and consider specifically what is Jesus prompting you to do as you walk in the Kingdom agenda. 1) What were the strengths of each church, and what were the weaknesses? 2) What was the warning to the church and is there a warning for you too? 3) What direction was given? 4) What was the promise? 5) Did you notice anything that stood out as a personal action? 6) What were your final takeaways? 7) Does this have an end-times prophecy application?

The seven letters to the churches in the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation warn of the need to have an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The letters were designed as an example to us of areas of strength and weakness from God’s perspective. We need to truly evaluate ourselves and the stance of our individual churches to ensure that each aligns to God’s heart. There needs to be leadership in the churches that actively obeys God’s voice to be certain of correct doctrine and submissiveness to the will of God. God threatens to remove the lampstand from the churches who are outside of His will. (Reference Revelation 2:5.) Do you want to be absent of the protection and presence of the Lord as we enter increasingly tumultuous times because you refused to listen to God?

Paul’s letters to the churches are the majority text of the New Testament Scriptures. Jesus’ letters to the churches are poised at the beginning of the book of Revelation signifying utmost priority. The churches need to get this right! While the position of the church is important, it is your individual relationship to God that determines if you fare well in the increasing spiritual war.

As you study each of these letters, I urge you to evaluate the following questions and consider specifically what is Jesus prompting you to do as you walk in the Kingdom agenda. 1) What were the strengths of each church, and what were the weaknesses? 2) What was the warning to the church and is there a warning for you too? 3) What direction was given? 4) What was the promise? 5) Did you notice anything that stood out as a personal action? 6) What were your final takeaways? 7) Does this have an end-times prophecy application?

To the Church in Ephesus

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:1-7 NIV)

To the Church in Smyrna

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Revelation 2:8-11 NIV)

My friends and I have been debating a situation that recently came up in one of the men’s life. He encountered a self-proclaimed atheist. He felt that it was his Christian duty to try to convert the atheist woman. He spent a lot of time with her (probably hoping for a romantic connection) trying to change her mind about God.

My stance is that God would prefer that we spend our available time helping other less mature Christians to know God, not in trying to convince someone who doesn’t want to know God that He is a loving God. I have several Scriptural passages to support my theology in addition to asking God about it. I will provide the Scriptures here and the exact response from God when I asked Him.

“The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’ The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said. He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 15:21-28 NIV)

“Warning Against Idolatry
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ And, ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NIV)

My conversation with God:

Me: “God do you want me to spend my ministry time trying to convert atheists to Christianity?”

God: “No, child, I do not want you to spend your worthy ministry time trying to invite someone into my family that I myself have not invited. The Canaanite woman showed more faith than many of my own children. Because she sought me out and had great faith, I delivered healing. But I would not have done that if she had not come to me carrying great faith.”

Me: “Is there ever a time when you would want me to minister to an atheist?”

God: “If there is, I will let you know very specifically.”

Me: “What about if a family member or child said they were an atheist?”

God: “You can’t force anyone to want relationship with a sovereign God. If the person was someone dear to you, then you should talk with me about what needs to be done. But in any case, it’s best not to assume that I would want you to spend valuable time helping the wrong people. There are times in Christians’ lives where I don’t want you to interfere with a work that I’m doing. Some trials are meant to burn the fake out of believers.”

Me: “So are you saying that it is a case by case basis for who you want me to minister to?”

God: “Always, but you already know that. There are Christians that have a wrong theology that they are supposed to bend over backwards helping people just because they are in need. It doesn’t impress me. At times it is just an enabling relationship absent of the will of God.” (End of conversation.)

As I always say, “Don’t believe me … ask God yourself!” Are you investing your time wisely for the Kingdom? Do you believe that God rewards faith or do you believe that He rewards unbelief?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Psalm 14:1 NIV
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Psalm 53:1 NIV
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

This edition of The Rogue Prophet Magazine is focused on expressing God’s heart surrounding end times’ prophecies. For the sake of the elect, He gives signs and special anointing to maneuver through difficult days of increased evil and deception. 

Some warnings contained in last days Scriptures reveal God’s wrath towards the unrighteous. But other warnings are intended to set boundaries to protect the elect. For example, we are warned not to take on the mark of the beast. We are reminded not to be lukewarm in our allegiance to God.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7 NIV)

The seven letters to the churches in the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation warn of the need to have an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The letters were designed as an example to us of areas of strength and weakness from God’s perspective and are an important segue into discovering the role of the collective Church in the timing of the last days. We need to truly evaluate ourselves and the stance of our individual churches to ensure that each aligns to God’s heart. There needs to be leadership in the churches that actively obeys God’s voice to be certain of correct doctrine and submissiveness to the will of God. God threatens to remove the lampstand from the churches who are outside of His will. (Reference Revelation 2:5.) Do you want to be absent of the protection and presence of the Lord as we enter increasingly tumultuous times because you refused to listen to God?

Paul’s letters to the churches are the majority text of the New Testament Scriptures. Revelation’s letters to the churches are poised at the beginning of the book signifying utmost priority. The churches need to get this right! While the position of the church is important, it is your individual relationship to God that determines if you fare well in the increasing spiritual war.

On the pages of this magazine, we will have an opportunity to study the last days’ Scriptures and evaluate our own spiritual identity and relationship to God. Will you have an ear that hears what the Spirit says to the churches, or will you pretend that God is mute and powerless? Will you be aware of the signposts and heed the cautions, or will you look to mainstream religion, government or media giants as your “god”? 

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1 NIV)

This blog text is a draft of page 1 (introduction) of the April edition of The Rogue Prophet Magazine.

Have you given any thought to “last days” prophecies? Do you know the sign posts and warnings that were provided for the sake of the elect?

The April edition of The Rogue Prophet Magazine will walk you through Biblical texts associated with end times. Through the Scriptures, you will hear from the Creator’s heart as He guides you on the path chosen for the righteous. He cautions us about the perilous days ahead and how to have peace as we steadfastly follow Him.

Each day’s blog posts leading up to the April edition, will be draft pages of the magazine’s content. For today, this is a very early draft of the cover.

The Rogue Prophet Magazine edition of “Jesus, The Everlasting Father” is now completed. You can find the full magazine at this site under the tab “The Rogue Prophet Magazine” or at this link https://wordpress.com/page/therogueprophet.com/86.

My favorite saying in this edition is … “Jesus often referred to Himself as ‘Son of Man’ not as ‘Son of God’. The ‘Son of God’ label spoke to the biology of the earth suit not the deity of the Spirit of Christ. God is Spirit. Christ’s Spirit is the one and only Spirit of God aka The Holy Spirit. It’s interesting to note that the Pharisees who crucified Christ, as well as the devil and demons referred to Jesus as ‘Son of God’.”

I hope you will camp on this subject if you are in doubt about who Jesus is.